Thursday 6 November 2014

Building on the Edge

Amy Shackleton's newest paintings are inspired by her recent road trip through the American Southwest. For over two weeks Amy explored breathtaking scenery in Zion National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, Monument Valley and The Grand Canyon. 
Amy states, "While hiking through the Grand Canyon, from rim to rim, I couldn’t help but imagine a city within its walls. In this series, I perch buildings from Toronto, Vancouver and Las Vegas atop canyons from Utah, Arizona and Nevada."








Artist Statement  
         I envision post-industrial worlds where healthy sustainable relationships exist between man and the environment. My paintings are intended to portray urban life at its best, demonstrating ways that we can work with nature rather than against it. I explore continually evolving approaches to preserving our environment, living more efficiently and using fewer natural resources. My art suggests how we can implement innovative solutions for city planning and development with minimal impact on surrounding habitats.

         This synthesis of ideas is manifested in how I paint. I apply paint with squeeze bottles and spin each canvas to build layers of straight and organic lines. As in real life construction, the architectural aspects of my work are calculated, measured and controlled in order to assure precise locations of each line. As in nature, the environmental elements are more spontaneous, unpredictable and liquid. I achieve these effects by dripping paint, using a level, spraying water and rapidly spinning each canvas.